Remote Lead Scientist - Machine Learning in Biology

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 2,992,000 - 4,322,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with match

Equity potential

Professional development

Remote work

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Lead Scientist in Machine Learning to drive cutting-edge ML models for complex biological datasets. You will lead a world-class team of data scientists and bioinformaticians, setting technical direction and ensuring rigorous, reproducible research.

The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration with domain experts, and producing impactful publications, with a fully remote work arrangement and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field with emphasis on ML/AI.
• Minimum 7 years in ML/AI research, with 2-3 years in leadership.
• Deep learning experience and application to biology.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of ML/DL models for biological data.
• Mentor data scientists and bioinformaticians, drive research projects.
• Define strategies for applying ML/AI in genomics, drug discovery, systems biology.
• Collaborate with biologists and chemists to translate questions into ML problems.
• Develop robust data preprocessing, feature engineering, and validation.
• Oversee deployment of ML models into production or pipelines.
• Stay at the frontier of ML/AI research and publish findings.
• Communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

R

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence company focused on revolutionizing biological research, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Scientist specializing in Machine Learning to join their fully remote team. This leadership position will drive the development and application of advanced ML models to complex biological datasets, uncovering novel insights and accelerating scientific discovery. You will guide a team of talented data scientists and bioinformaticians, setting the technical direction and ensuring the successful execution of research projects. The ideal candidate possesses a Ph.D. in a quantitative field (e.g., Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, Bioinformatics) with extensive experience in machine learning, deep learning, and their application to biological problems. This is a pivotal role for an individual passionate about leveraging AI to solve challenging biological questions from anywhere in the world. The position offers a highly competitive salary, exceptional benefits, and the flexibility of a fully remote work arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning models for biological data analysis.
• Guide and mentor a team of data scientists and bioinformaticians, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Define research strategies and identify key opportunities for applying ML/AI in areas such as genomics, drug discovery, and systems biology.
• Collaborate with domain experts (biologists, chemists) to translate biological questions into solvable ML problems.
• Develop robust data preprocessing, feature engineering, and model validation strategies.
• Oversee the deployment of ML models into production environments or research pipelines.
• Stay at the forefront of ML/AI research and introduce novel techniques and approaches.
• Communicate complex technical concepts and research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to publications, patents, and conference presentations.
• Ensure high-quality code, documentation, and reproducible research practices.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, Physics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field with a strong focus on Machine Learning.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Machine Learning/AI research, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership or team lead role.
• Demonstrated expertise in various ML/DL algorithms (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, Transformers, reinforcement learning) and their application to biological data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python (with libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn) and experience with R.
• Strong understanding of biological data types (genomics, proteomics, imaging) and challenges.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and distributed computing frameworks.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a team.
• Proven ability to work effectively and autonomously in a fully remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers an exceptionally competitive salary, significant performance-based bonuses, and potential for equity in a rapidly growing company.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided, along with a generous 401k plan with company match.
• We offer substantial professional development opportunities, including access to leading-edge research tools, online courses, and support for attending major conferences.
• Employees enjoy a very flexible work schedule and ample paid time off, all within a fully remote work structure.
• This role provides the ultimate flexibility and the opportunity to shape the future of AI in biology.